Indefinite Hold

January 8, 1986

READING YOUR recent editorial, in which you commend Commissioners Vera Carter, Bob Harrell and Lou Treadway for their affirmative votes on the Matra computerized train system, I am amazed at the so-called logic that concludes the 11.7-mile tourist attraction would ''be the start of a regional rapid transit system.''

On the contrary, all available evidence suggests that the Matra system would place an indefinite hold on any thoughts of providing transportation relief to those areas of true need, whether in the form of rapid transit, expanded or ''super'' bus service, or even local road construction.

Consider:

-- We would be obligated to contribute $11 million per year for the next 30 years plus revenue from 1 cent of our existing gasoline taxes, which would be in the neighborhood of $1.7 million a year.

-- The taxpayers would have to pay the cost of feeder buses and parking facilities that all parties admit will be needed for the system to work.

-- Matra, the French company that designed and would run the system, would not be obligated to allocate one cent of its profits to expand the system for the benefit of local users.

As a staunch advocate of rapid transit, I cannot believe that a system that virtually guarantees additional tourist-related growth, as admitted in your editorial, is the solution.

Perhaps the most telling comments at either of two commission meetings on this subject were those by Carter on Dec. 2, wherein she stated, ''There is no commitment from the voters,'' and those by Commissioner Hal Marston, on Dec. 16, who told of receiving numerous letters and phone calls in opposition to the proposal.

Our commission should appoint immediately a citizens' task force on transportation to provide input from a representative cross section of our community, focusing on our transportation needs and concerns.

This task force should work in close concert with the Metropolitan Transit Authority, local municipalities and adjacent counties.